How to Answer: Tell me about a situation in which you had to lead a team member who did not like you.
16. Tell me about a situation in which you had to lead a team member who did not like you.
How to Answer
When working in a management role, you might come across an employee who does not like your personality or appreciates your management style. This situation does not mean you have failed as a manager. It could simply mean that personalities are clashing or the team member has not yet bought into your vision. The interviewer wants to know that you can handle this type of conflict correctly and find ways to motivate this person, keep them engaged in their work and perhaps even learn to enjoy working with you. This question is phrased as 'Tell me about...,' which means that the interviewer expects a specific story-based example.
Answer Example
"When I first started in my current role, I was replacing a very beloved manager who had retired. The team that I inherited was not happy about the change, and they initially set out to give me a hard time. I addressed the situation within the first week, acknowledging that I had big shoes to fill. I believe that the team respected this honest approach. Over the course of a couple of weeks, the team came as they realized that I had their best interest at heart."
Admin
"When I worked as a temporary administrative assistant, I did not always jive with the head administrator. Because I was in a temp role, I felt overlooked or was sometimes treated poorly. Regardless, I did my work to the best of my ability because I wanted to keep a good reputation with my agency. I don't need everyone to like me, but I do need to deliver great work while feeling respected in the workplace."
Manager
"In my last role, I led a team member with a work style very different from my own. This person was unwilling to make an effort to adapt to change, even when our company faced significant industry regulation changes. When the team should have been asking questions to learn about the regulation changes, this person showed a preference for doing things how they had 'always been done.' I was perceptive to the issue and approached this person in private. I asked them for their opinion on a few changes to understand their attitude and preferences. After taking this approach a few times, we developed a better working relationship. I believe this person wanted to feel important and that their industry experience was valued."
Marketing
"Although I cannot recall anyone outright say they don't like me, I have butted heads with team members in the past. Generally speaking, these situations surround a difference of opinion on actions to take while approaching a client's project. For instance, I follow digital algorithms carefully, yet I have one team member who is more 'old school' and doesn't value some of our reports. We have learned to work with each other very well. Although we may disagree at times, it's always with respect and never disruptive to the overall team environment."
Retail
"When promoted to Retail Manager of my current department, I was the youngest on the team. This age factor made my promotion unpopular news. It seemed they thought they could treat me as though I were their daughter rather than their leader. I quickly made it clear that while I respect their experience, I would not accept condescending treatment. I approached the conversation with confidence and respect while emphasizing how important their expertise was to me. I explained the company's goals for our team and outlined how they could contribute and ensure we reached those goals. Since this conversation, the team has been a delight to lead, and I feel they respect my input as an individual, regardless of my age."
Sales
"I'm all about openly tackling a problem when I see it so that issues can come to a quick resolution. This approach doesn't go over well with the lower-achievers on my team hoping to skate by and do the bare minimum. For instance, last week, I heard a team member mocking my approach to another employee after a team meeting discussing low productivity. I strive to maintain a cohesive, collaborative environment for the people on my team who want to achieve great things. So, I spoke with the employee in private. I let them know that I overhead them mocking me, and I wrote them up formally. I allowed for an explanation, and we discussed behavior expectations and professionalism in the workplace. By taking control of the situation right away, I feel that I gained some respect from the employee while also expressing that their behavior would not be tolerated again."
Teacher
"I am used to students not always liking me, and I am realistic to believe that I cannot win everyone over. Situations of dislike do not sway me or impact my teaching style. As far as my colleagues, I do not always get along famously with everyone at all times, but we all respect each other despite differences in our teaching style."
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